Page 15 of Heroes & Hitmen
“Since you’re obviously bad at taking hints, that was one to leave me alone,” she huffs, glaring down at the sidewalk as I fall into step beside her.
“Nah, hints aren’t really my thing,” I laugh. “Seriously, where to?”
She mutters something under her breath I don’t catch, then heaves a dramatic sigh like the weight of the world just landed on her shoulders. She probably doesn’t know what to make of me. Most people don’t.
Miley isn’t like any girl I’ve met. She has the breeding and the bloodline, the perfect manners and even more perfect body, but there’s an edge to her that no amount of grooming can file away.
“There’s a coffee place around the corner,” she finally says. “If I don’t get there in the next five minutes, the morning crowd will clear out the chocolate croissants.”
“That’s a pretty specific craving,” I remark.
“They’re the best in the city,” she insists, stopping so abruptly that I almost run into her. She spins to face me, arms crossed over her chest. “Seriously, you need to stay away from me, Ares,” she warns, giving me a pointed look. “Nothing good can come from this.”
I reach out and let my fingers brush her arm, just enough to remind her of the spark between us. Just enough to make her look around nervously, like she thinks somebody might be watching. I don’t think I’ve ever been this obsessed with a girl before, but Miley isn’t just any girl. She’s special.
“Relax,” I murmur, hitting her with a smirk. “Let me buy you breakfast, then I’ll go.”
She glares back at me, but I can see her resolve slipping.I’m already winning.
“Breakfast?” she repeats hesitantly. “Then you’ll leave me alone?”
“I’ll pretend to.”
Her eyes roll dramatically, but she spins on her heel and cuts across the sidewalk without another word, which is as good of an invitation as I need.
I follow her to the small storefront nestled between a yogastudio and a bookstore, into a cozy little café that smells strongly of espresso. Miley navigates through the crowd, heads turning as she passes. She’s the kind of girl who gets attention no matter where she is or who she’s with. Heading straight for the counter like she’s been here a thousand times, she orders her precious croissant and a latte while I press in close beside her and slap down a twenty, ordering a black coffee for myself.
“Little sweet for breakfast, huh?” I comment as the barista walks away to fulfill our order.
Miley raises a brow without looking at me. “I like sweet stuff.”
“Shocking.”
Her gaze finally lifts to mine. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“I’m just saying… you didn’t exactly come off assweetlast night.”
She turns away, but not before I see the pink blush creeping across her cheeks. “You should probably stop talking about last night,” she mumbles.
“Why?”
“Because if someone hears you, you’re a dead man.”
I lean in closer, keeping my voice low. “Because you’re promised to someone else?”
“Because nobody’s allowed to touch Alpha’s daughters,” she whispers sharply, jerking her head up to meet my eyes. “Didn’t he read you the riot act this morning?”
I swipe a hand over my chin. “Honestly? I wasn’t paying much attention.”
“Obviously,” she mutters as the barista returns to hand over the goods. Miley’s violet-grey eyes light up as she takes the croissant, and I swear, if she ever looks atmelike that, I’ll die happy. This girl must have a serious love affair with baked goods.
I sip my coffee as I follow her to an empty table near the window, surprised when she actually takes a seat rather than trying to ditch me and run out the door. Maybe she’s just that determined to enjoy her croissant. Maybe she’s curious, despite herself. Either way, I’m not complaining.
Miley sets her latte down and unfolds the napkin around her croissant, meticulously arranging it on the table while trying not to look at me. Meanwhile, I try not to stare as she breaks off a flaky corner of the pastry and pops it into her mouth.Fail.
“I’m serious, you know,” she murmurs around the bite. “This thing with my father? It’s not a joke.”
“Didn’t sound like one,” I muse, a smirk curling my lips. “But I can be discreet if you can.”
